VIII C2

WIND HYDRO AND OCEAN ENERGIES

----- Dr. K. JYOTHI

 UNIT-II (9hrs)

Wind Energy Conversion System

Aerodynamic design principles
Aerodynamic theories
Axial momentum
Blade element
Rotor characteristics
Maximum power coefficient.
 WIND TURBINES

The kinetic energy ----- Electrical energy

 The basic principle of wind energy
conversion is

“Converting the kinetic energy of the

wind into rotational energy (Mechanical
Energy) using a wind turbine. This
rotational energy is then converted into
Electrical energy using an aero-
generator”.
 Key for extracting wind power
Rotation of the turbine blades

Principles of aerodynamics
involved in the design of the
turbine blades.
When the moving air passes through the
wind turbine, two forces act on its blades.

DRAG FORCE (FD)

LIFT FORCE (FL)

 Drag force (FD):

Acts in the direction of the wind

Does not produce rotation
Dissipated energy.

Lift force (FL):

Perpendicular to the direction of the wind.
Responsible for the rotation
The bottom surface of the blade is flat while
the top surface is curved.

As a result, when wind passes through the

blades, the velocity of wind passing over the
top surface of the blade is greater than the
velocity of wind passing over the bottom
surface.
 BERNOULLI’S PRINCIPLE

Velocity Pressure
Hence pressure on the top surface of the
blade is less than the pressure on the bottom
surface.

This pressure difference produces a Lift force

from high pressure side to low pressure side
causing the blade to rotate.
Lift force

Low Pressure
Drag force

Wind flow
High Pressure
The Lift force can be maximized by adjusting
the angle of the blades depending on the
wind direction.

Hence the blades of the wind turbine are

always designed such that lift force is
maximum and drag force is minimum.